The Why:
The Outback Bowl has the third pick from both the SEC and the Big 10 and this year those picks landed them a good matchup between Michigan State and Georgia. After a tough loss to begin the season to Boise State the Bulldogs have put together a nice 2011 campaign with their only conference losses coming against South Carolina and championship game bound LSU.

Michigan State was in the driver’s seat in the Big 10 after their big win against Wisconsin in November, but lost the rematch to the Badgers in the inaugural Big 10 championship game. After their loss to Wisconsin in the championship game the Spartans were one loss behind Michigan who is heading to the Sugar Bowl.

What Smartypants Accounting Guy Would Tell You:
This is going to be a matchup between two really talented defenses. Georgia is ranked 3rd nationally in total defense while Michigan State is ranked 5th in the same category. The offenses are not ranked as high nationally with Georgia coming in at 39th and Michigan State at 60th, you would have to give the edge to Georgia on offense, particularly since the Bulldogs play tough SEC defenses week in and week out.

The turnover margin statistic has been a good indicator for us throughout this bowl season. However in this game it will be meaningless because these two squads are tied for 23rd in turnover margin.

Pool Prognosticators Pattern:
I have Michigan State in this game with 11 confidence points. In my opinion the Spartans are going to be out to prove that they belong on the big stage after last year’s pounding they received at the hands of Alabama in their bowl game.

Vegas Edge:
Georgia is favored by 3 points in this game and the over/under is 49.5. If I were going to bet this game I think I would take Michigan State and points.

Sweatpants Verdict:
This one of three bowl matchups that puts the Big 10 up against the SEC. I believe that the Big 10 is tired of taking a back seat to the SEC. Michigan State is going to show up big time in this game defeat Georgia along the lines of 28 – 17.